Is 2017 the Time to Refinance Your Home in Washington State?

With home prices rising and mortgage rates dropping, refinancing is becoming more attractive to homeowners in Washington State. And home refinance conditions might continue to improve, as we progress through the second half of 2017.

This week, the government-sponsored mortgage buyer Freddie Mac announced that the average rate for a 30-year fixed home loan dropped yet again. On August 17, 2017, Freddie Mac reported that the average rate for a 30-year mortgage loan dropped to 3.89%. The 15-year fixed, which is another popular product for refinancing homeowners, dropped to 3.16% on average.

According to the company’s conomists, “rates are continuing to hold at low levels amidst ongoing economic uncertainty.”

Meanwhile, home prices across Washington continue to rise, following double-digit gains over the last 12 months alone. As a result of these trends, now might be a good time to refinance a home in Washington State – at least for some homeowners.

A Good Time to Refinance Your Home in Washington?

Mortgage rates have come down quite a bit since the start of 2017. During the first week of January, the average rate for a 30-year fixed home loan (the most popular mortgage product) was hovering around 4.20%. The latest national survey from Freddie Mac showed that rates in that category have dropped by roughly 30 basis points (0.30%) since January.

Lower borrowing costs could put a lot of Washington homeowners in a good position to refinance their homes.

While the reasons for refinancing can vary from one person to the next, most people do it to secure a lower rate and reduce their monthly payments. Others do it to switch from an adjustable-rate to a fixed mortgage loan, or to withdraw equity from their homes. But regardless of the motivation, homeowners in Washington owe it to themselves to review their current mortgage situation to see if refinancing could work to their advantage.

Rising Prices Boost Equity for Homeowners

In most cases, home buyers need to be in a positive equity position to refinance their homes. This is often a requirement for refinancing a mortgage loan in Washington, and elsewhere across country. Fortunately, there have been some positive trends in this department.

According to the real estate information website Zillow, the median home price for Washington State rose by more than 11% over the last 12 months (August 2016 – August 2017). The company’s economists expect prices to continue rising over the next year, though they might slow down a bit.

The bottom line is that most homeowners across Washington State have significantly more equity in their homes today than they did a couple of years ago. As a result, an increased number of homeowners are entering the “window” where mortgage refinancing makes good financial sense.

We Can Help You Run the Numbers

If you’re thinking about a mortgage refinance in Washington, and you want to know if it will work to your advantage, please contact our knowledgeable staff.

We can review your current mortgage situation to determine if refinancing makes sense. We can also run the numbers to show how much you might save over time (if you’re able to secure a lower rate than the one you have right now).

Elsewhere on our website, you can find current mortgage rates for a variety of home loan products. This resource can help you determine whether or not refinancing makes sense right now. We can also provide you with a personalized rate quote tailored to your specific situation and the kind of loan you need.

Last weekâs economic data supported recent reports indicating that housing markets are slowing, The National Association of Home builders/Wells Fargo Home Builders Index (HBI) dropped by 10 points to a reading of 46 for February.

Over the past 25 years Sammamish Mortgage has consistently provided clients with superior service along with low rates and fees. Whether you are purchasing your first home, buying your dream home or refinancing, our award winning team of mortgage professionals will help get you the best mortgage for your financial situation.